Alpha GPC Review: Benefits, Side Effects, and Dosage Guide

There’s a good chance that if you’re reading this Alpha GPC review, you already have some basic knowledge on choline. Cholinergic compounds are some of the most discussed nootropics on the market. All the best nootropic stacks contain a reliable choline source to aid in your brain’s production of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is dubbed the “learning neurotransmitter” and is responsible for just that—memory and learning. A steel trap memory would be the envy of students, entrepreneurs, and executives around the world. Thus, one of the most common goals of choline supplementation is to improve your ability to retain information.

Choline is considered a dietary supplement in the United States, with a composition similar to that of the B vitamin complex. In Europe, choline is regulated and sold under the brand names Delecit and Gliatilin with prescriptions. There are plenty of dietary sources of choline available. However, choline concentrations high enough for nootropic benefits such as focus and concentration improvement require supplementation. Choline, while naturally present in the body, is a water-soluble compound extracted from purified soy lecithin for commercial resale. Once a supplement like Alpha GPC is absorbed, it is metabolized into both glycerophosphate and choline (the precursor to acetylcholine).

There are several different types of choline circulating the nootropic community. Two common types are CDP-Choline (Citicoline) and Choline Bitartrate / Lecithin. The subject of today’s review is Alpha GPC, also known as Choline Alfoscerate or Alpha-Glycerophosphocholine. We won’t dive into detail on the other two choline sources. Our previous article on the types of choline supplements makes the comparison in detail. Our focus for this analysis will be on the benefits of Alpha GPC and correct dosing information. We will also cover potential side effects, the supplement’s half-life, and Alpha GPC liquid.

Alpha GPC Benefits

Alpha GPC benefits the brain in many ways. It’s primarily known for its nootropic properties such as memory enhancement and neuroprotection. Numerous clinical studies back Alpha GPC for demonstrating the following health benefits:

Substantial cognitive improvements in Alzheimer’s patients, or those suffering from other neurodegenerative diseases

All the listed Alpha GPC benefits are significant. But, the real strength comes from its potentiating properties when stacked with other smart pills and nootropics. Additional choline works to amplify the cognitive enhancement effects of nootropics such as Huperzine A, Phosphatidylserine, and Caffeine. The increased production of acetylcholine can also prevent headaches when using racetams or other synthetic nootropic supplements.

Given these long-term health benefits and cognitive boosting abilities, Alpha GPC becomes vital for building a sharper mind. Its high bioavailability allows it to penetrate the blood-brain barrier quickly and efficiently. The choline goes to work rapidly, clearing brain fog and enhancing long-term memory with regular use. We will discuss potential side effects later in our Alpha GPC review.

Alpha GPC Dosage

What is the correct Alpha GPC dosage? How much Alpha GPC should you take? These questions have answers that vary depending on your goals. Your age and personal health also play a role. With that said, there are some dosing ranges you’ll want to stay within for optimal benefit. An important fact to remember is that Alpha GPC is 40% choline by weight. This ratio means that a 1,000mg dose of Alpha GPC confers to approximately 400mg dietary choline. The dosing recommendations below refer to the total amount of Alpha GPC ingested—not the 40% choline output.

Cognitive Enhancement & Neuroprotection

For nootropic users seeking cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection, keep your dose in the 300-600mg range. In general, this Alpha GPC dose is both recommended and well-tolerated. Daily dosing of 300-1200mg cumulatively has been documented as safe and effective for most users. You can take this amount all at once or split your servings throughout the day or as needed. You’ll want to begin consumption at the lower end of this spectrum. Once you’ve assessed tolerance and effect, you may increase your dose in a stepwise fashion.

Physical Performance & Growth Hormone Boost

Alpha GPC stacks very well with the top nootropics for energy. For increasing power output and physical performance, consume 600-1000mg of Alpha GPC 30-45 minutes before exercise. Whether it’s a gym session or athletic performance, this dose has been proven beneficial. Increasing your Alpha GPC dosage beyond this point does not necessarily translate to better performance or increased HGH production. Feel free to experiment with this by slowly increasing your dose to assess tolerance and benefit.

Alpha GPC Side Effects

The Alpha GPC side effects are few and far between. It is a well-tolerated cholinergic supplement when used within the recommended dosing range. The side effects of Alpha GPC listed below are rare. They typically only surface when going far beyond the recommended dose.

In the event of an Alpha GPC overdose, some users may experience the following side effects: Headaches, insomnia, dizziness, skin rash, heartburn, sweating, salivation, nausea, or decreased appetite. If you happen to experience any of these side effects, you’ve gone too far in your dose. Simply reduce Alpha GPC intake back to an acceptable amount for your body.

Alpha GPC Half-Life

In our review of Alpha GPC, we’ve covered many of its cognitive enhancement and health benefits. But how long do they last, and how long does it take for this choline supplement to work compared to other brain supplements?

The Alpha GPC half-life is around 4-6 hours but is said to peak within 1-2 hours of ingestion. For those who supplement multiple times per day, it is recommended to keep the doses 4-6 hours apart from each other.

Final Thoughts on Alpha GPC

Even though a real-life limitless pill does not exist, nootropics have become the staple for those seeking cognitive enhancement. Among the best nootropics on the market, Alpha GPC sits atop the list of powerful choline sources. We hope you found our Alpha GPC review helpful. Let us know about your experience with Alpha GPC in the comments below!